Funk D’Void

Techno and House Producer and Full-time Dad. It’s a difficult situation to understand, so much so we’re convinced Lars Sandberg is a miracle-worker. Born in Glasgow and now settled in Barcelona, the DJ admits music is much more a job than a superstar lifestyle, but nonetheless is so funky he’s off on tour once again, after releasing a hugely anticipated Balance 022 compilation. Alexandra MacLeod talks to Funk D’Void about the times of ‘Theme to S’Express’ and his nostalgic memories of beefy Roland keyboards and dangerously loud techno.

Hi Lars, hows it going?
Fine, apart from a little bout of the flu, thanks!

What have you been up to over the summer?
This year I decided to take off with my kids and travel to France & Scotland and really spend some quality time with them – hopefully giving them some warm memories to come back to when they’re older. Before that I was finishing off my entry in the Balance CD series.

Can you remember the first ever club night you played?
Yeah, It was in Glasgow and I played for hamburgers! My record box was small & plastic from Woolworths and had a few 7 inches in it. I was in heaven of course….and only 17 years old.

Any memories of the tracklisting?
S’Express “Theme to S’Express” was a biggie!

You’ve got a three dates set to play in Australia at the end of October, is Australia a new destination for you or have you had past experiences with us here?
I’ve played a few times over the years, although the last time I brought a nasty intestinal parasite over with me from Bali and spent the entire time holed up in the hotel recovering! And don’t get me started over the Qantas A380 emergency-landing a couple of years back…oof. Let’s see what this trip will bring! I can’t wait to come back though, honest!

Have you been busy? Give us a brief idea of a day in the life of Funk D’Void?
I’m a single dad raising two kids so after school trips/ cooking dinner/ homework & bathtime I try and squeeze in some precious hours making beats in my little room of paradise I call my “home studio”. I’ve had a great summer though, it will be tough being away from my kids while I’m touring Asia & Australia…skype video chats will keep me going! Really can’t wait to play all this wonderful new music I’ve been finding to some willing ears.

What inspired you when you were kid to be a producer? We’ve heard your partial to spot of Marvin Gaye…
The early 70’s was a great time for jazz, funk & soul. I worked in an independent record store which specialised in this music so basically it was the soundtrack to my full working day. So many artists, it’s difficult to choose my favourites. Herbie Hancock, Thelonious Monk, Donald Byrd, Weather Report, Pharoah Sanders are but a few…I suppose my main calling as a kid was when synthesizers started emerging in pop records, 10cc, Kraftwerk, New Order really paved the way for me with those amazing sounds that stayed with me over my childhood. There was no other way for me, really. I remember signing up for some course in Hotel & Catering just to keep my parents happy at the time. I never made it to that class…

Was your career, and musical interest always focussed on Techno and House sounds?
Most definitely. These two genres seemed to fit me perfectly, I dabbled in a bit of drum & bass during the nineties, but house & techno, or variants of, have been in my DNA since the start.

What is it about these genres that particularly resonates in you?
Maybe I’m trying to recreate that feeling I had when I was a teenager in a club listening to it for the first time, who knows…I reckon it’s the just the sounds I love so much, all those fat Roland keyboards and drum machines that I picked out as a child. It’s like finding your Nirvana and staying with it…

How did you select the tracks for the Balance 022 compilation?
With great difficulty of course. I had 80-100 tracks in the final selection and due to a lot of varying factors some real gems had to go, but the cream made it to the final mix, I’m extremely happy with the result. This is me and my taste in electronic music – each track has an image, place or emotion attached to it. If someone else feels something too, then that’s my job done.

What’s your favourite track or “stand out” track on there?
I think Vince Watson’s “Celtic Beauty”…it’s just a wonderful instrumental pad & string workout, and gives me goosebumps every time I listen to it. It’s incredible that sound can make a body react that way if you think about it.

Was it an easy task?
No way mate! Although hearing it all come together has made it worthwhile…

How did you get involved in the Balance 022 compilation?
I guess they liked my previous compilations that I’d done for Cocoon and Soma records…and I’d like to think that they still stand up, years later.

What’s the best thing about being Funk D’Void?
I am my own boss, a definite plus. Don’t expect any superstar DJ stories from me, I’m the anti-thesis to all that circus. Music is my precious job, I’m just trying to spread out (what I think) is the good stuff to people who are willing to listen.

What are your plans after Australia?
To stay away from any hospitals on this trip! Maybe it’s time to continue my surfing lessons on Bondi beach, although I nearly killed myself last time out there. My balance is all shot to hell after years of playing loud techno!

Have you got a lot lined up for the festive season?
I’ve been invited back by the Angolan Olympic table tennis team (I’m semi-pro) to train over Christmas but I think I’ll just go to Glasgow and visit my mum (who’s from Melbourne!).

What about new year?
Oh I’ll be DJing. And loving it.
Thanks a million!